SAVE THE DATE: (Join our Google Calendar!)

Aug 9           Fall Sports Begins

Aug 24         New Student Orientation, 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Aug 24         Open House for All Students and Families, 10:30 AM – 12 PM

Aug 24          Back to School Night, 6:00 PM

Aug 28          First Day of School, 8:00 AM

Sep 4            Labor Day, Schools and Offices Closed

Sept 7 & 8     Picture days for Grades 9, 10, 11

Sept 15         Rosh Hashanah, Schools and Offices Closed 

Sep 25          Yom Kippur, Schools and Offices Closed

Oct 9             Professional Learning Day, School Closed for Students

Oct 10 - 13     SPIRIT WEEK

Oct 13 & 14    Homecoming Weekend: Pep Rally, Football Game, Dance

Oct 14           Pancake Breakfast

Oct 20           Professional Work Day, School Closed for Students

Oct 31          End of first marking period; 3-hour early dismissal, ASVAB test administration

Jun 11          Last Day of School (June 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, may be used as inclement weather make-up days)

 

ACTION ITEMS:

1. UPDATE YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO ASAP

All families must update their emergency contact information annually. While we recognize many of you may not have any changes to make, you must click through all of the screens and click submit in order to have this task completed. Some decisions require annual permission, such as permission to photograph your student, for example (this one is pretty important if you want your student to appear in the yearbook or in team/activity postings). We’d like Centennial to be the first high school to have 100% of the Family File information to be fully updated, so visit HCPSS Connect today and click submit on the final screen!

Common Roadblocks to Successfully Updating the Family File:

• You can now reset your password with or without a security Q&A. So, if you've tried to update and hit a roadblock, please try again.

• If you are having trouble remembering your username (which is the full email address for an adult responsible for the student account), call or email us and we'll let you know what you should be using to access the initial time. Please note: You cannot complete this task using the student login/account. It can only be completed via a guardian account.

• Families new to HCPSS should receive an authorization key in your email. Follow those instructions.

• If you've requested a reset, and haven't received an email, we need you to check your junk or SPAM folders. That seems to be where a bunch of those things are ending up. If you still don't have it, give us a call.

 

2. UPDATE STUDENT MEDICATION FORMS

Students who require medication to be administered during the school day need to have new forms (dated on or after July 1st) completed for this fall.  For your convenience, you can find these forms on-line at the HCPSS website by clicking on the link for Physician’s Orders https://www.hcpss.org/about-us/forms/. 

 

3. JOIN THE PTSA AND BOOSTERS

The CHS PTSA offers programs, services, and supports to enhance the high school experience for all students, teachers, and parents. Join the PTSA now by logging into the  CHS PTSA website. 

The CHS Boosters serve all student extracurricular activities, including sports teams, school clubs, and student organizations. Join the Boosters now by logging into the CHS Boosters website.

It is important to support organizations that do so much for us and our students. We are a community!

 

4. FULFILL OUTSTANDING STUDENT OBLIGATIONS 

If you spent part of your summer vacation cleaning your room and you found some CHS Textbooks or Media materials, you should bring them into school as soon as you get a chance. Any fines that were previously paid will be refunded in full. Because students with outstanding obligations may be denied the opportunity to participate in school events such as homecoming and attending sport events, and may not be issued replacement technology, students should contact the Front Office as soon as possible to clear obligations.

 

5. STAY CONNECTED

6. Centennial High School’s website is a great source of information at https://chs.hcpss.org.

7. On Twitter @hcpss_CHS and Instagram @CentennialHS.

8. CHS PTSA https://www.chs-ptsa.org/and CHS Boosters https://www.centennialboostersonline.com/.

9. Register to receive school system updates and alerts at https://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/, click on Subscribe and select Centennial High School.

 

6. APPLY FOR PARKING PERMITS 

Permission for students to drive and park vehicles on school system property is a privilege. Parking spaces for students at Centennial High School are limited. Accordingly, in order to be granted this privilege, applications for parking permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis in priority order: 1) Seniors; 2) Students enrolled in Work Study/Intern Mentor Programs; and, 3) Juniors.

Permits will be issued in this order through the end of the third week of school. Beginning September 18th, remaining permits will be issued in the order applications are received. Permits will not be reserved for students who do not yet have a valid Maryland Driver's License. Students ARE NOT required by the school system to attend a ‘Safe Driving’ presentation this school year.

To apply for your permit:

• Login to HCPSS.me.

• Complete the application packet and save as a pdf.

• Take a photo of your driver’s license.

• Follow this link to submit the online application. The information collected through the online application is required by HCPSS.

• Your submission will be reviewed and you will be notified via email once it is accepted.

For questions about applying for a parking permit at CHS please contact Marie Dow at marie_dow@hcpss.org.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO JOIN US:

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION, August 24, 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM  

We look forward to welcoming all freshmen and transfer students to our orientation event on Thursday, August 24, from 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM.  Parents will drop their students off at the front of the building. The students will then attend a brief orientation presentation, tour the building, visit classes, and learn about student organizations and clubs. 

OPEN HOUSE FOR ALL STUDENTS and FAMILIES, August 24, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

All students and families are invited to the building at 10:30 AM for our open house.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT – August 24, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 

Our annual Back to School Night event will be held on Thursday, August 24th. Parents will begin by reporting directly to the auditorium for a welcome session from 6:00 PM to 6:25 PM. Parents will then report directly to their student’s period 1 class, and rotate through their student’s schedule, with a 10-minute information session for each class period and 5 minutes for hallway transitions. Please note that staff will be available at 5:15 PM to help with Family File, as well as to meet for Special Ed, ESOL, and BSAP. 

Student ambassadors will be in the hallways to direct guests to classrooms. 

It is suggested parents and guardians who will be driving to BTSN arrange carpools and plan to arrive early. We ask that you support our efforts to reduce the impact of our event on our school neighborhood by following these suggestions.  Please do not park on the road or in our neighbors’ driveways.

There will be a brief presentation at 6:00 PM in the auditorium and we will post it on the website at the end of the evening. 

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT SCHEDULE on AUGUST 24th:

5:15      Help with Family File in Student Services

5:15      ESOL parent meeting in Room 918

5:15      Special Education Meet & Greet in Room 306

5:15      BSAP Meet and Greet in Student Services

5:15      Naviance Help for Parents/Guardians in Student Services

5:15 - 6:30   Tour our Club Fair in the Media Center

Schedule: (Parents dismissed at 6:20)

6:30 – 6:40 Period 1

6:45 – 6:55 Period 2

7:00 – 7:10 Period 3

7:15 – 7:25 Period 4A

7:30 – 7:40 Period 4B

7:45 – 7:55 Period 5

8:00 – 8:10 Period 6

Departure: 8:10

 

ATHLETICS

Opening day for Fall Sports and Marching Band Drumline Camp is August 9! Check out our first Week At a Glance for information, dates, and events, as we prepare for Opening Day on Friday, September 1.

 

NAVIGATING CHS:

STUDENT SCHEDULES

Students will have access in Synergy to view schedules WITHOUT teachers, periods or room numbers from 8:00 AM August 11, thru August 18. Beginning at 8:00 AM on August 23, students will have access to review their schedules WITH teachers, periods, and rooms.  We strongly encourage each student to review their courses for accuracy. All students should be scheduled for seven (7) credits. Total credit count also includes college courses, work release time, and seniors who are aiding.

All students have had the opportunity to review course selections with their counselors on several occasions since January, so there should be very few requests for adjustments. Students with the following issues will have their requests considered: course list has fewer than 7 credits; course list includes a class that has already been taken; or, seniors who are missing a graduation requirement.

Bear in mind that staffing and scheduling decisions were made in February based on initial student requests. Therefore, it may not be possible to honor all requests as master schedule and class size limitations may be prohibitive. Students should be prepared to take the courses that have been scheduled if your request does not fit one of the reasons outlined above.

After reviewing your course list, if you determine there is a need for an adjustment based upon the three criteria listed above, email your assigned school counselor. The email must include: the full student name as it appears in Synergy, grade level, phone number, course to drop, course to add, and the reason for the request. Any changes to recommended course placements must include a “Course Placement Review” form. All requests for schedule changes must be made by August 23, 2023, to ensure review and adjustments prior to the first day of school. No elective schedule changes will be made after August 28, 2023. PLEASE only email your counselor once and exercise patience as they work to respond to your message. Counselors will respond to email in the order they are received. Sending multiple messages will only result in a delayed response to you and to others. 

Questions about schedules should be directed to Student Services: 410-313-2857.

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

To help remove technology barriers and advance equitable student learning outcomes, HCPSS has moved to a 1:1 student-to-device ratio. All students have or will be provided with a Chromebook. These devices are required for all county and state testing and assessments. HCPSS Technology and Devices information 

Students who do not currently have an HCPSS issued device should report to the Media Center to have one assigned on Monday, August 28. 

GETTING TO SCHOOL

The official school hours for Centennial High School for the 2023-2024 school year, as set by the HCPSS Board of Education, will be 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM.  Bus schedules will be available online. 

We believe that the safest way for students who do not drive themselves to get to school is by accessing the transportation provided. However, we do understand that there may be occasions when it is necessary to drive your student to school. When that happens, please follow the procedures listed below to help ensure the safety of all students during school arrival time.

Students who must be driven to school are to be dropped off either on the sidewalk next to Burleigh Manor or at the auditorium entrance at the side of the building following the established traffic pattern. Drivers are NOT to use the parking aisles to drop off students. 

Students may NOT be dropped off along Centennial Lane. Parents are to refrain from making U-turns on Centennial Lane as it impedes traffic and contributes to unsafe conditions for students and drivers.

Students who are driving themselves to school are encouraged to arrive early to avoid being tardy. Traffic jams occur daily during the morning rush along Centennial Lane. We very much appreciate your partnership to ensure our commitment to student safety.

Students who arrive at/after 8:00 AM are considered tardy and may receive disciplinary consequences. 

Students can arrive as early as 7:00 AM, as our cafeteria is open. Between 7:00 AM and 7:40 AM, students are permitted to  wait outside or go to the cafeteria. Students enter through the main doors in the bus loop area (they have to walk on the sidewalk at the auditorium entrance to the front) that lead directly into the cafeteria. Students may NOT go to classrooms before 7:40 AM unless they have a pass from a teacher. 

 

ATTENDANCE

Please follow these procedures to report an absence:

Absence notes and tardy notes for excused absences are to be emailed to CHSabsence@hcpss.org. Students who bring in physical notes may drop them off in the front office before the start of the school day. 

Discretionary absence requests must be completed and attached through email in advance of the absence. The last possible day of school for the 23/24 SY is June 18th. If there are any make-up days added to the end of the year, we need you to be available to take exams on any day from June 7-18. Any requests for Discretionary Absences during that window of time will not be approved. Likewise, Discretionary Absences will not be granted during the week of January 16th, mid-term exam week. For questions about attendance, please reach out to our Attendance Secretary, Diane Howse at diane_howse@hcpss.org.

 

LOCKERS

Lockers are available to all students throughout the school year.

Students in all grades may stop by the table outside of the cafeteria to request a locker during New Student Orientation or the Student Open House on Thursday, August 24.

If you miss the open house, students in all grades may stop by the table outside of the cafeteria to request a locker during lunch shifts throughout the first week of school: Monday, August 28 – Friday, September 1. After September 1, students may come to the front office before the school day begins, during their lunch shifts, or during Eagle Time to request a locker assignment.

 

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility.

 

VISITORS 

In order to ensure the safety of all students and staff, all visitors must press the buzzer located to the right of the main entry doors to be admitted to our building.  When we greet you, please provide us with your name and the reason for your visit.  We will buzz you in and direct you to report to the main office.

As a gentle reminder, please remember to bring in a valid form of identification (e.g. driver’s license) if you are picking up one of our students.  It's also a good idea to double check your Emergency Procedure information to ensure the list of individuals authorized to pick up your student during the school day is up to date.